Preparation

One month prior to Field School, begin living without air conditioning (AC). If you do not begin to acclimatize to the heat and sun, you will most likely become incapacited for the first week or two of the field school. You must learn to live without AC in order to remain healthy, active, energized, mentally alert, and productive while in the field. This is a serious preparation that can be supplemented with mid-day exercises when the heat/sun is at its most intense and or daily or other frequent saunas or engage in frequent activities in similar conditions. Do not use the AC at night. Do not take this preparation lightly.

Weather
The weather in Yucatán is HUMID and usually ranges 90-100 degrees F, yet at night the temperature can drop substantially. This change can feel quite dramatic especially if one spends quite a bit of time in the sun during the day. Cancun has many U.S. brand name stores with high quality but less expensive items for both males and female. Thus you may want to shop there for some items; Pistéhas a great variety of t-shirts that can be cheaply purchased.

JANUARY and FEBRUARY can be COLD. The temperature is not that cold, however the humidity makes the low temperatures quite fierce. Rains will also cause deep chills. Thus, bring fleece or synthetic shirts that can keep you warm during the nights. Sleeping in hammocks also makes the winter cold all that much COLDER.

APRIL AND MAY are the hottest months of the year. And DRY! Unlike the summer humidity, this heat is “dry” — well, according to Yucatec standards. At least all the mosquitoes are killed because the heat and the burning of the fields.

REMEMBER: The sun is VERY hot there and is much closer, thus its effects are much more immediate and intense!!! Thus, you may consider bringing a hat and/or clothing that provides extra protection from the sun.

• SPORTS / skirts / summer dresses.
  
• T-SHIRTS / loose blouses / tank tops
  
• Comfortable yet durable walking shoes, tennis shoes and or sandals. (tough/cheap flipflops can be bought in Pisté or Cancun.) Think of these as expendable items that will get destroyed and perhaps left behind to leave room in your luggage upon return.
  
• Long comfortable pants: bring both a light pair to wear during the day in the city if there is any plans on being indoors or going out at night, and two light yet DURABLE pairs (such as jeans) for everyday use.
  
• A loose, long-sleeve t-shirt, loose longjohns/underwear and or LIGHT pajamas to avoid misquitos. Something to cover up yet light enough to endure the HEAT inside the house.
  
• A light jacket, sweater, pullover or similar for very cool nights (for winter and fall; not summer), traveling and after the beach warmth. At night the weather drops 20-30 degrees sometimes. Thus even if the temperature is 60-70 degrees, one acclimatizes to 105 degrees during the day and thus will react to this drop as uncomfortable cold. This is especially true in June before it gets really hot and in early August when the rains cool down and everyone in town gets SICK from the weather change. This is the period of time of colds and flus (the canicula) bring your echineaca, vitamin C and garlic pills.
  
• Light rain apparel or wind breaker for tropical rain storms/showers might be suggested according to personal preferences. Summer rain storms are quick and furious and are generally endured indoors until they pass; in other words, some might not ever want to use rain gear.
  
• SPORTS APPAREL: bring sports shorts, shirts, t-shirts and tank tops, shoes, socks, etc. so as to participate in volleyball, basketball, futbol, running as you wish.
  
• CAVE EXPLORATION: you may be invited to go explore a cave or cenote, or hike deep into the jungle forest so bring appropriate items for such activities. Strong recreational sandals are recommended for all purposes.
  
• Bathing and beach apparel. Bring towels: one for beach, 1-2 for everyday use, a washcloth, etc. as needed.
  
• CHURCH: you should also bring some clothing that is to be kept clean and nice for special occasions, such as church or a special dinner/event. NOTHING excessively formal nor elegant; rather, something just presentably clean, dressed-up casual is sufficient.
  
• Long sleeve shirt for the evenings and/or more formal situations in Cancun & Mérida (nightlife if you're into it).
  
• Remember that clothes washing is done by HAND with a SCRUB on a ROCK SURFACE that will quickly destroy delicate fabrics. You will want to handwash your own undergarments and other delicate items.